Chinese consul general: First visit to the Stampede reveals what Calgarians are all about

Lu Xu, China's consul general in Calgary, says she has witnessed Canadians' hidden side during the Stampede: optimism, resilience and striving in the face of harshness.
AL Charest / Al Charest/Postmedia

The annual 10-day carnival called the Calgary Stampede will soon be wrapping up. Some Calgarians jumped at the prime time of summer for trips; however, the spectacular 2018 Stampede is meant to stay on top of the conversation list of those who have experienced and enjoyed it for quite a while.

During these 10 days, everyone in town — no matter whether they are locals or tourists — is dressed up from top to toe in cowboy outfits, being seen ubiquitously at various occasions, formally and informally.

As a first-time Stampeder since my designation as Chinese consul general in Calgary, I was overwhelmed by loads of enthusiastic invitations from friends in town. The most-frequently-asked question I have encountered at the Stampede events is, “How do you feel?”

Well, it is actually not so easy to give a simple answer. Neither a word nor a sentence can perfectly describe the significance of this Stampede, especially when it is in the middle of a somewhere clouded time, with the economic downturn, real estate slump, delayed pipeline expansion and looming trade wars.

Some say Canadians are gentle, low-key and conservative. However, I have witnessed their hidden side during the Stampede — that is the optimism, resilience and striving in the face of harshness.

All these assets stem from the volunteerism, citizenship and entrepreneurial attitude apparent in the Stampede celebration: never leave business behind while being thrilled at the parties, always joke at the setbacks, but get ready for the unexpected, constantly preserve traditions and also embrace diversity.

Calgarians deeply value what they have, while holding visions of what they will have in the future. I believe these are the components of the Stampede spirit.

Perhaps historical similarities explain why I felt this way. My country and people suffered deeply from hardship in the past. It was optimism, resilience and striving that led us through all the tough days to the exceedingly improved standard of living, which has been a major leap, during the past 69 years.

Now in front of a new round of global difficulty, we smile softly, but give a firm response to the mess. When somebody was busy lifting tariffs everywhere in the name of national security, China was practising the free trade concept by reducing the tariff level from 15.3 per cent down to 9.8 per cent since the joining of the World Trade Organization in 2001, and will continue to do so voluntarily in the coming years.

This fall is going to witness another major step taken by China to showcase its willingness to support economic globalization and free trade. The first China International Import Expo is about to be held in Shanghai, sending a big signal that China is opening its door more widely than ever before.

It is the first national expo with the theme of pure import. As of now — remarkably, beyond expectations — 61 countries and more than 1,700 businesses have registered, including more than 30 companies from Alberta, ranging from energy resources, animal feed, agriculture, to clean energy and more.

A Canadian friend I met at the Stampede Investment Forum told me that the Stampede, in some kind of way, is a venue to attract investors. It presents Alberta and Calgary as easygoing, enjoyable, transparent and predictable places for investment.

Cool. I couldn’t agree more, and believe those Chinese guests who just participated in the forum will also acknowledge this by nodding their heads.

Ultimately, I do hope that at the end of the day, when the Canadian doors are knocked on by potential Chinese investors — from both the state-owned and private sectors — that pancakes with juicy maple syrup, instead of cold shoulders, are waiting inside.

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